Hat-blocking machine



Jan. 8, 1929.

H. W. HUNTER HAT BLOCKING MACHINE Filed Nov. 16, 1926 4 Sheets-Sheet lrullv Jan. 8, 1929.

H. w. HUNTER HAT BLOCKING MACHINE Filed Nov. 16, 1926 4 Sheets-$heet 2flan fer Jan. 8, 1929. 1,698,595

H. w. HUNTER HAT BLOCKING MACHINE Filed Nov. 16, 1926 4 Sh t -Sh t 3Jan. 8,, 19290 H. W. HUNTER HAT BLOCKING MACHINE Filed Nov. 16, 1926 4Sheets-Sheet 4 Allen 8,

HUGH RV. HUNTER, F D.E.NBURY, CONNECTICUT.

HAT-BLOCKING MACHINE.

This invention relates to hat blocking machines, and it has particularrelation to blocking machines of the type by which a hat body is placedupon a hat block and the crown and brim ther of are blocked as apreliminary to the finishing of the hat body,

In the finishing of hats, it is necessary to mount the hat body, whichhas been roughly blocked and pounced, upon a block of the counlour andsize of the completed hat. I-leretoforc, it has been customary to shapethe crown of the hat body over the block and to pull out the brim of thehat by hand. This practice requires numerous steps, such as the pullingof the crown over the block, subjecting the felt to a steaming action,pulling down the base of the crown with a puller down, smoothing thewringles from the crown, cording the base of the crown to the block, andfinally pulling out the brim. Due to the rough block of the hat as itcomes to the finisher, it requires no little effort to pull the hatcrown over the block, and stretching or pullin of the brim by handpresents greater dillicull'ies, especially when the hat brims are ofnarrow width. In addition to the time required by the various stepsabove outlined aull the effort expended, the felt texture of the hathody and particularly of the brim is subected to uneven stir-ins byvirtue of the inability to simultaneously pull out the whole area of thebrim by hand.

It is, therefore, one of the principal objects of this invention toprovide a blocking: machine which. positions a hot body upon a block andwhich shapes and slim-aches the brim as a preliminary step in thefinishing opemlion on the hat. A further object is the provision of ablocking machine which act lo positively block a hat body and which(lie. rihul'os the blocking;- strains uniformly throughout the area ofthe hat body. A further object is the provision of a blocking machine ofthe above character which is operated by a system of hand levers topositively block a hathody to desiredv shape. A further object is toprovide a machine to uniformly and simultaneously pull out and stretchthe brim of a hat body throughout the brim area. A. further object isthe provision of ma chine which pulls a hat body, previouslyrouglnblocked, over a block as a preliminary to the finishing of the hatbody, and pulls out the brim thereof, whereby to materially decrease thetime expended in accomplishing the same result by hand. A. furtherobject is to providea machine which mounts a hat body on the block uponwhich the hat is finished. A further object is the provision of animproved method of dry blocking a hat body as a step preliminary to thefinishing, the hat body. A further object is the provision of a machineof the above described character which is simple yet positive inoperation and which efliciently attains the objects above set forth.

Other objects will be in part obvious and in part hereinafter pointedout in connection with the following analysis of the present in ventionwherein is shown one of the various possible embodiments of theinvention, and in which drawing Fig. l is a front elevation, partly insection, of the entire blocking machine.

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the machine as shown in Fig. 1, certainparts being broken away.

Fig. 3 is a top plan view of the blocking; machine, certain of theoperating levers being broken away.

Fig. 4 is a detail sectional view showing the relation of the variousparts upon the (tour pletion of the blocking operation.

Fig. 5 is a detail of the brim clamps during various stages of theiractuation.

F Sis a detail of the lever indicator.

Fig. 7 is a rear elevation of the brim clamps shown in detail in Fig.

Referring to the drawings, numerals 1.0 and T11 designate side framescast to form bases 12, uprights 13, lower cross pieces 1.4 and uppercross pieces 15, as will be readily understood. Front and rear tie rods16 having reduced end portions 17 pass thru bosses 18 formed on sideframes and 11, and are securely bolted thereto by bolts 20, to bothspace and support the side frames in their desired. upright relation. Across plate or saddle member 21 secured to the upper cross pieces of theside frames extends therebetween for the purpose described hereinafter.There is provided a top plate or table 22, comprising a casting having acentral open portion of substantially elliptical shape, which joins a nd is rigidly secured to the side frames and lie as by bolts 23. It willbe understood that the (:(mventional shape of the frame work a. abovedescribed may be varied as rem Mounted on the cross saddle intermediatethe side rames l0 and 11, and secured thereto as by bolts 2% is a steampot prei ably elliptical in shape, and which extent thru the opening inthe table Steam is admitted to the pot troni any desired source thrupipe 26 and steam admission is controlled by a valve 27. T he steam potis open at its upper endand has on. its bottom surtace a channeleddepression to permit the condensate tobe drained o'li ai'uil retrievedthru a dra ina "or pipe 30.

A. holding ring 31 preferably of brass and of? oval or elliptical shapeis mountedabove the steam pot oy straps 32 pinned o; eted thereto us at33, and bolj' orotherwise secured to the SJEGIERR p it as designated atThe brass ring 31 is machined on its inner and top surfaces to provide abee no, surface for one of series of bands on),- iilrewise of brass,each of which is deta on the ring' 31. The rings 3'5 are oval tocontormto the oval shape of a hat block and the paricular band to be mounted isselected in accordance with the crown size oi the hat to be b ocked. Theinner surface of the band 35 do lines the junction of thecrown and brimot' the hat bod-y when blocked. T he bands have Z31 outside machineddepres sion indicated at 36 of uniform liaineter and d red.

depth, and thus any band selected vill snugly lit on the ring 31.

To grip the edge of the brim of the body, whiclh as will be hereinafterexplaincth is-suppo'rted. %)}11 the h: nd 35, i provide a plurality ofbrim clamps mounted from the table plate 22 ane aeapted to be hr; gh'tinto gripping relr by a hand leverf lVith reference to lib l and 5; eachof the brim clamps compr ,e a lower jaw 4.6? having a brim engagingsurface 41, and a linger 42 rcciproeably mount ed in the jaw member andhaving; a t. p ritaee 43- completo t'h surface ll. A rcnwartlly extenciire portion of lie lower jaw member is cast to term i slot or isotherwise bifurcated to accommod a the linger 42. By l'l'?i; off a pinlsthe jaw member it) is pi "i n'munted from plat, support which boltedto an d. overl ungs the" table 22, and the jaw men'ibers may swing abouttheir tnlcrt ins and are permitted arcuete travel wi hably mounted;

eons'idthat the linger 42 is in pping relaion with the jaw member asshown in tull lines, his. 5, it vill be seen that an up ward movement ofthe cast ring; will cause the linger 42 to be raised into non-grippingrelation indicated by dotted lines and that a si'ibseq-uent downwardoperation of the cast ring 50 wil bring the finger into grippi relation1 h the lower jaw {ll-l. The iivotal mounting t he linger in the studbolt 4'? permits the linger to 'ravel in. clockwise direction (7 memberlO \viien the lettt while the l'LlOlOGl' bushii \V s'lic gripping ot thebea 'ing surfaces and ll of the finger and the jaw member 40respectively to i duce to a mininunn any marking; of ti hat heldtherebetween. lt will be understood that apredetermuuid nunu ber offingers similar to fingers P2 are 21r- T211 3i 1n spaced relation withrespect to the can] filll'ftli! and disposed rt. 'ively ii t and in operve relatior ,=\i 'le an, expansion ring: whirl :tang'ulor in crosssection as showm other cross section ot' an t may be re 4:.

or oi. a l pt cal (Olul 'l'lll'ilblifil to coirtorni to the s.

. 4 (URL member a l oi a hat block. 'll o jaw side vardly extending);prey 58 havin therein an elon eted slot Gt).

screw or pin (ii or ther form oi connection passes loosely than slot (30and is threaoed in the expansion ring J.

from the cam surtac: 56 ot jaw niembe L' i "LlOll or ext and cng res ina groove Gil provided in line Per rring to Figs. 1 and hi it will besccn that as expansion e; projected upwardlyg it engages the ram surlaeeat inemlt-er 40 a id erijiai'uls the swingin .ien ziliiout it n. Mill 5:it on. rdly in it cloc {wise direcivet pin ii. A phurality oi i tinnedat spacedintervals ibont I to conit'orn'i to the oval shape of the iiiphery of the but brim. The tongues 62 operating in guide grooves (-23o in n s it in their predeed .1 times.

lil)

retracted. The slots 00 are, therefore, designed to be sulliciently longto accommodate for the n'iaxiniiun'i travel of the jaw members 4:0. I

As shown in Fi 3, I have provided twentyfour of the grippings units, asabove described, spaced rz'idially of the geometric center of the hatbrim and about the periphery of the brim at equal arcuate distances fromeach other to conform to the oval or elliptical outline thereof. It isto be understood that the number of such gripping; units is arbitrary,and 1 do not wish to be limited by such a set munber, which may bealtered as conditions require.

Considering now the mechanism by which the cast ring 50 may be raised orlowered to ln'ing the fin; rs 412 into gripping and non- ;rrippingrelation with jaws 40 65 is a lever having at one end a handle portion66 and at the other end a housing 67, mounted 011 cc centric plate 68 atthe front upper part (the operators left side) of the side frame 10 bymeans of a pin 69. Stops 70 are provided. to limit the arcuate travel ofthe lever 65 and the handle 66. Depending from the eccentric plate is arod'71 threaded into a bifurcated clevis 72. A look nut 73 is providedto adjust the operative length of rod 71. 741 is a cross arm which ispivotally joined to the bifurcated ends of the clevis 7 2 by a pin 75and at its other end is keyed or otherwise secured to a rock shaft 76.The shaft 76 extends between frames 10 and 11, and is journaled inbosses 77 and held from endwise movement by collars 78. Adjacent eachside frame 10 and 11 at the inside thereof, 1 provide collars 80,rigidly secured to the rock shaft 7 6 as by set screws 81, the collarshaving: ec .:entric arms 82 cast integrally therewith and at the end ofthe arms 82, pins 83 extend thru slots 8-1 in bars 85. The iars 85extend in upright position and are journaled in guide brackets securedto the side frames. 10 and 11 at their lower cross portions. Pins 87screw-threaded to the bars extend thru elongated slots 88 in the guidebrackets 80. The bars 85 extend upwardly thru apertures 90 in the crosssaddle 21, and are rigidly secured at their top ends as by bolts 91 tothe downwardly oxtendinp flange 51 of r' '4; ring 50. joined to the castring; 50

The bars on are at each side thereof so that a positive raising andlowering action may be imparted thereto. From the above it will be seenthat the clockwise rotation (Fig); 2) of lever 65 and handle 66 hasresulted in shaft 76 being rocked, causing the bars 85 to be lowered,thus lowering the cast ring 50 and bringing the fingers 42 into grippingrelation with the jaws 40 as shown. The stop lug 70 on housing 67 isarranged to engage the base of eccentric plate 68 upon full actuation oflever 65 into the position shown in Fig. 2, and eccentric plate 68 iscarried past its center and is thus locked to hold fingers 12 ingripping relation.

Considering now the mechanism by which the jaws 40 and the fingers 42are expanded radially to stretch ahat brim gripped therebetween, thereis provided a hand lever 95 adjacent the side frame 11 (the operatorsright side) which has a downwardly extending portion merging into a bossor collar 96, the later being keyed or otherwise secured to a shaft 97.The shaft 97 is rotatably journaled in bosses 98, cast in side frames 10and 11, and restrained from endwise movement by a collar 100 fixedthereto. Carried by the shaft 97 are collars 101 fixed thereto as by setscrews 102, each of the collars havi a cast arcuate extension to providea segment gear 103. The positioning of collars 101 and segmentgears 103carried thereby on the shaft 97 is such that the teeth of the segmentgears engage and mesh with teeth 10-11 at the lower end of rack bars105. 106 designates upstanding bosses cast on the saddle member ber 21and arranged sidewardly of the steam pot 25 and along the line of thetransverse center thereof. Boss extensions 107 are pro-- vided andsecured to bosses 106 as by bolts 108. The rack bars 105 extend thrubores 1n the bosses 106 and extension bosses 107 where in they aresuitable journaled and supported, and at their upper portions havereduced ends 110 which are screw-threaded into the expansion ring 57.Connection between the exptlllSlOll ring 57 and the rack bars 105is thusmade at each side of ring 57 to furnish a uniform raisingeffort. It willbe seen from the above that by bringing the lever 95 forwardly 1) theshaft 07 is rocked, and the segmentgears 103 engage the rack bars 105and cause the same to be projected upwardly and to similarly raise theexpansion ring 57. This upward actuation of expansion ringr 57 causesthe jaws 410 to swing about their fulcrums 44: thereby moving; intoexpanded position indicated by dotted lines Fig. 5.

To hold the j a Y in this expanded position, a segmental ratchet 111 isbolted as at 112 or otherwise secured to the side frame 11 adjacent thelever 95. A pa W] 113 is pi votally secured to lever 95 by pin 1141- toengage the teeth of the ratchet 111 and dropped into or removed fromoperative engagement w h the teeth of the ratchet by an arm 114. Thisarm isjoinml to the pawl 118 by a cotter pin 115 and extends upwardlyalong the hand lever 95 where it is eccentrically connected at 116 to apawl operatinc handle 117 pivotally secured to lever 95. The operatormay rock the handle 117 to raise the pawl 113 during the swinging ofhand lever 95 forwardly. When the jaws 10 have been sufficientlyexpanded, the pawl handle is released and the pawl 118 drops by gravityinto a tooth of ratchet 111 to hold the jaws so expanded. 1

To provide against the tendency of the felt to give and then to returnpartly to its orig inal texture, the presser block 132 is designed toforce the block 136 a slight excess distance into the hat crown. It isevident that the hat body now blockerfl, on the block 134 as desired andits brim substantially stretched. To remove the hat and hat block fromthe machine, the lever 128 carrying the presser block 132 is releasedand is raised by virtue of weight 125. The operator then releases thelever 65 and moves it 'rearwardly, and the disengagement of the lingers12 from the jaws 40 is thereby effected, as well as the automaticcutting off of steam admission to the steam pot 25. The operator thengrasps the hat block by its chuck portion and raises the same with theblocked hat body thereon from ring 35; the hat body is now suitablyblocked and is positioned on the correct block ready for the finishingoperation. Lever 95 is then released and swung rearwardly to retract thebrim clamps for subsequent blocking.

In some instances, as where the rough blocking operation. has produced acrudely blocked hat, wrinkles may form along the upper side portions orthe zone generally known as the square of the crown when a hatblockforced therein as above described. To obviate this difiiculty, I providefriction ele ments 137 secured to the sides of steam pot 25 tofrictionally engage that portion of the crown so affected. The frictionelements comprise elastic pads 138 of rubber or the like, mounted onstuds 139 which in turn are slidably mounted in straps 140 secured tothe steam pot as by bolts 14:1. Pins 142 at the ends of studs 1.39prevent the withdrawal thereof from straps 140. Springs 1143 surroundthe studs 139 and urge the pads 138 into extended position. As the hatblock 136 is forced downwardly by presser block 132, the side tipsurface of the hat crown the elastic pads which by reason of theirresilient and frictional engagement therewith smooth out wrinkles whichmight occur.

In some instances, I propose to make the ring 31 carrying band 35vertically movable to provide greater ease in positioning the hat bodyso that its brim might be gripped between iingers 42 and jaws it). Insuch a case, thering 31 would be in lowered position at the beginning ofthe hat blocking operation, but would be raised in the position as shownby actuation of lever 95 thru a connection with bars 105 or withexpansion ring 57.

It will be evident that by the above described blocking machine and bythe art practiced in the use of the same, a rough blocked but ready forthe finishing operation may be quickly and expeditiously placed on theproper block upon which it is to be finished and the brim of the hatstretched without the many difiicult-ies attendant to theaccomplisl'nnent of the same result by hand. The stretching of the brimis attained in a more uniform and positive manner than by a like handoperation. and without the labor and time involved with the latter. Themachine is simple in operation, has relatively few parts, all of whichare easily accessible, and all moving parts thereof are positivelyactuated and suitably designed for a greater efficiency in theparticular art.

Altho the above invention has beendescribed with relation to the artof.dry blocking hats, that is, Where only'steam is used. to soften thefelt fibers as apreliminary to the finishing of the hat, the blockingmachine as above described and the principles involved are applicable,without material modification, to the art of wet blocking hats, that is.the softening of the felt fibers by boiling water and steam in the roughblocking of hats of cone-shaped body and /or of stretched body, and suchis cmnprchended within the scope of my invention.

From the above, it will be seen that the present invention contemplatesa practical device well adapted to accomplish, among others, all of theobjects and advantages here in set forth.

I claim:

1. In a hat blocking machine, the combination of a plurality of brimclamps to grip the edge of a hatbrim tl1erel. etween, means engaging thebrim clamps to swing the clamps outwardly whereby to stretch the hatbrim, and means on said brim clamps engaging said first named means toguide the brim clamps as they are swung outwardly.

2. In a hat blocking machine, the combination of a plurality of brimclamps, an ex pansion ring adapted to swing the brim clamps outwardly,and means on said brim clamps engaging in said expansion ring to guidethe brim clamps as they are swung outwardly.

ii. In a hat blocking machine, the combination of a plurality ofpivotally mounted brim clamps comprising complementary gripping members,cam surfaces disposed on one of said complementary members between thefulcrums and gripping portions thereof, and means engaging said camsurfaces to swing the brim clamps outwardly.

at. In a hat blocking machine, the combination of a plurality ofpivotally mounted brim clamps comprisingcomplementary gripping members,one of said complementary members having cam surfaces disposed betweenthe fulcrunis and the gripping portions thereof, and an expansion ringengaging said cam surfaces toswing the brim clamps outwardly.

5. In a hat blocking machine, the combination of a plurality of brimclamps comprising complementary gripping members, one of said membershaving a cam surface thereon, means engaging said cam surface to swingthe brim clamps outwardly, and means on said cam surface engaging insaid last named means to guide the brim clamps as they are swungoutwardly.

6. In a hat blocking machine, the-combination of a plurality ofpivotally mounted brim clamps adapted to grip the edge of a hattherebetween, and having cam surfaces disposed between the fulcrums andgripping portions thereof, and means engaging the cam surfaces to swingthe clamps outwardly and to return the brim clamps inwardly to retractedposition.

7. In a hat blocking machine, the combination of a plurality ofpivotally mounted brim clamps, cam surfaces thereon disposed between thefulcrums and clamping portions thereof, and an expansion ring engagingsaid cam surfaces to swing the clamps outwardly to stretch a hat brimgripped thereby and to return the brim clamps inwardly to retractedposit-ion.

8. In a hat blocking machine, the combination-of a plurality of brimclamps, each having an angularly disposed portion and a sinewardlydisposed extension thereon, an expansion ring engaging said angularlydisposed portions, and an operative connection il'l'lQI'G- between andincluding means on said expansion ring extending thru said extensionswhereby actuation of said expansion ring in one direction forces theclamps outwardly and in the reverse direction returns the clamps intoretracted position.

9. In a hat blocking machine, the combination of a plurality of brimclamps having angularly disposed portions thereon, an expansion ringengaging said portions, an operative connection between the brimclampsand the expansion ring whereby actuation of said expansion ring inone direction swings the clamps outwardly and in the reverse directionreturns the clamps into retracted position, said connection comprising aslotted extension on said angularly disposed portions, and pinsextending therethru and fixed in said expansion ring.

10. In a hat blocking machine, the combination of a plurality of brimclamps adapted to grip the edge of a hat therebetween, means engagingthe brim clamps to swing the clamps outwardly to stretch the hat brimand to return the brim clamps inwardly to retracted position, and meanson said brim clamps engaging in said first named means to guide the brimclamps during actuation thereof.

11. In a hat blocking machine, the combination of a plurality of brimclamps, an expansion ring engaging the brim clamps, an operativeconnection between the brim clamps and the expansion ring wl'ierebyactuation of said expansion ring in one direction swings the clampsoutwardly and in the reverse direction retunns the clamps i-n-toretracted position, and means on said brim clamps engaging in saidexpansion ring to guide the brim clamps during actuation thereof.

12. In a hat blocking machine, the combination of a plurality of brimclamps, an eX- pansion ring engaging the brim clamps, an operativeconnection between the brim clamps and. the expansion ring wherebyactuation of said expansion ring in one direction swings the clampsoutwardly and in the reverse disaid expansion ring in one directionswings the clamps outwardly and in the reverse direction returns theclamps into retracted position, and tongues extending from said brimclamps engaging in grooves in said expansion ring to guide the brimclamps during actuation thereof.

14. In a hatblocking machine, the combination of a plurality of brimclamps, an ere pansion ring engaging the brim clamps, an operativeconnection between the brim clamps and the expansion ring wherebyactuation of said expansion ring in one direction swings the clampsoutwardly and in the reverse direction returns the clamps into retractedposition, said connection comprising a slotted extension on said clamps,a pin exftend-ing therethru and fixed in said expansion ring, andtongues extending from said brim clamps engaging in grooves in saidexpansion ring to guide said brim clamps during'th ei r actuation.

15. In a hat blocking machine, the combination of pivotall y mountedbrim clamps havingcam surfaces disposed thereon between their fidcrnmsand clamping portion-s, means engaging said cam surfaces and adapted tobe actuated in one direction to expand said brim clamps, meansoperatively connecting said first named means and said brim clampswhereby actuation of said first mentioned means in another directionactuates the clamps in a reverse direction, and means to actuate saidfirst named means in either direction.

16. In a hat blocking machine, the combination of brim clamps having camsurfaces thereon, means engaging said cam surfaces and adapted to beactuated in one direction to expand said brim clamps, means operativelyconnecting said first named means and brim clamps whereby actuation ofsaid first .nentioned means in another direction reassess actuales theclamps in a reverse direction, means to actuate said lirst name means ineither dire :tion, and means on the brim clamps engaging in said firstnamed means to guide the brim clamps upon actuation thereof.

17. in a hat blocking machine, the combination of brim clamps comprisingcomplementary gripping members, one of which is reciprocably mounted inthe other gripping members, the said other gripping members ha ving camsuri'aces "harmed thereon adjacent the ripping portions thereof, theends of the reciprocable members being operatively joined to a movablemember, means to actuate said movable member to bring said reciprocablemembers into and out of gripping engagement with said. other grippingmembers, and means engaging said cam surfaces to expand and retract thebrim clamps l8. in a hat blocking machine, the cembination of brim:lamps comprising com plementary gripping members, one of which isreciprocably mounted in the other gripping i'nen'ibcrs, the said othergripping members having cam surfaces :iormed thereon adiacent thegrippin surfaces thereof, the ends iii (ill

of the reci'procable members being operatively oined to a movablemember, and means to actuate said movable member to bring saidreciprocablc members into and out ot ripping engagement with said othergripping members, both of said gripping members being mounted for aswinging movement into ex panded and retracted posi Ions, and meansengaging the m surfaces on said other gripping member to expand and.retract the brim clamps.

19. in a hat blocking machine, the combination or": brim clamps inspaced relation and comprising complementary gripping members, one ofwhich is reciprocably mounted in the other, the ends of the reciprocahlemem bers being operati'Vel joined to a movable member, means to actuatesaid movable member to bring said, recira'ocable members into and out ofgripping engagement ith said other gripping member, both oit' saidgrippi members being mounted for a swinging movement into expanded andretracted positions, reciprocable means engaging said other grippingmember to expand and retract the brim clamps, and means operativebetween said other gripping members and said last named means to vridesaid brim clamps in their spaced relation during their actuation.

20. In a hat blocking machine, the combination of brim clamps arranged.in spaced relation and comprising complementary gripping members, one ofwhich is reciprocably mounted in the other, means to reciprocate saidreciprocable members to actuate said me ibers into and out of grippingengagement with said other members, both of said members being mountedfor a swinging mowunent into expanded and retracted posiion, said othergripping members having regularly, disposed portions thereon, an ex- 2pansion ring adapted to engage said portions to expand and retract thebrim clamps, and an ope] tivo connection between said expansion rin andsaid. portions comprising a slotted extension on said portions, anda pin'ding therctln'ough and lined to the expansion ring.

521. in a hat blocking machine, the combiiation of brim clamps arrangedin spaced relation and comprising complementary gripping members, one ofwhich is reciproe-ably mounted rocate said reciprocable members toactuate said men'ibers into and out of gripping engagement with saidother members, both of said members bein mounted for a swinging mm'ementinto expanded and retracted. position, an expansion ring adapted toengage said other g ipping members to expand and retract the brimclamps, an operative connection between said expansion ring and saidbrim clamps comprising a slotted extension on the brim clamps, a pinextending therc thru and fixed to the exoansion ring, and tongues on thebrim clamps engaging in grooves in said expansion ring whereby said brimclan'ips are guided during their actuation.

In a hat blocking machine, the combination of a band selected inaccordance with the crown size of the hat to be blocked, means tosupport said band, means to grip the edge of a hat body positioned. insaid band, a hat block, means to force said hat block within the bandand into the hat body, and means engaging the square portion of the hatcrown to remove wrinkles therefrom.

23. In a hat blocking machine, the combination of a band selected inaccordance with the crown size of the hat to be blocked, means tosupport said band, means to grip the edge of a hat body pos mood in saidband, a hat block, means to force said hat block within the band andinto the hat body, and means ongaging the outer crown portion of the hatto remove wii'inldes therefrom, said last named means comprising a padadapted to trietionally engage the hat crown.

2-1:. The art of blocking hats which consists in mounting a hat bodywithin a hand of di mensions determining the crown size of the finishedhat, gripping the hat about its brim edge, stretching the brimsubstantiall throughout its area by pulling out the gripped brim edge inlinear direction and in the general plane of the forming edge of theband, insertin a hat block thru the band, and torcing the block into thecrown of the hat body to thereby adapt the crown portion in the other,means to recipof the hat to the block and pull the hat relaeonsiei-n inmounting a hot body Within :1 band of dimensione determining the crownsize of the finished hat, gripping the hot body throughout its brimedge, directing steam against the hat body, stretching the brim substzmiiiaily throughom its area by pulling the gripped brim edge in alinear direction and in the general plane of the forming edge of theband. and foroin a hat block i'hru the band the crown oi the hat body,to thereby 10 L red 4-; Danbnry, Connecticut, this 19511 may of Ucfober,19526.

HU 7:11 "W. HUNTER.

